Resolution Passed Calling for Release of Political Prisoners, Leopoldo Lopez

On September 27, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution urging for the Venezuelan government to release their political prisoners, including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez ’93, as well as calling upon the government to honor the constitutional process of the likely recall referendum which could oust President Maduro.

An email from Friends of a Free Venezuela states:

The recall referendum includes three phases of signature collections and voting to recall the presidency. Should this recall referendum be completed before January 10, 2017, a new election for president will be held. Should the referendum be completed after January 10, 2017, President Maduro’s Vice-President will assume power and finish his term.

Venezuela under Maduro has seen extreme inflation and poverty, as well as food shortages and rationing. By removing Maduro, the Venezuelan people hope to have a president who will bring their country in a new direction.

With the government delaying the referendum process, nearly 1 million Venezuelans took to the streets on September 1. The Venezuelan opposition announced that at the end of this month, they will move ahead without the support of the government into the second phase of the recall referendum.